ITV News UK Editor Paul Brand speaks to eyewitnesses of a mass stabbing aboard a Peterborough to London train, and explains what is known so far about the investigation.
A train driver whose quick thinking undoubtedly helped save lives during a mass stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire has told ITV News: “I was only doing my job.”
Andrew Johnson, from Peterborough, diverted the Peterborough to London Kings Cross train to Huntingdon as soon as he was alerted of a knifeman attacking passengers on Saturday evening.
The train would have passed straight through Huntingdon, before the Royal Navy veteran got signallers to divert the the train to a different track, allowing him to stop at the platform, it is understood.
Johnson struck a humble tone when asked about his intervention, instead praising his LNER colleague, who tried to stop the knife attacker and is now in hospital in a life-threatening condition.
“I was only doing my job,” he said. “It was my colleague who is in hospital who was the brave one.”
An Aslef union officer said the driver is “very shaken” but “good” and commended him for doing “exactly the right thing”.
Nigel Roebuck, Aslef officer who leads on negotiations with LNER, said: “The driver did everything he was trained to do, at the right time and in the right way.
“He showed real courage, real dedication, and real determination in the most difficult of circumstances. Our thoughts tonight are with his colleague who is still in intensive care.”
Detectives confirmed on Sunday afternoon that a 32-year-old man who was arrested is now being treated as the only suspect.
Two men were initially arrested as more than 30 officers, including armed police, were called to Huntingdon train station at around 7.40pm on Saturday evening.
A 35-year-old man from London who was also arrested at the scene has been released with no further action. British Transport Police (BTP) said it was “reported in good faith” that he was involved in the attack.
“Following enquiries we can confirm that he was not involved,” the force said.
The attack is understood to have happened shortly after an LNER train left Peterborough station, bound for London King’s Cross.
Witnesses described seeing a man with a large knife and passengers running down carriages, trapped in the train. Some hid in toilets, and there were reports of people getting “stamped” on by others as they tried to flee.
Passengers are said to have pressed emergency alarms, but could not get off until the train stopped at Huntingdon.
Ten people were taken to hospital, and another person later took themselves to hospital, Superintendent John Loveless, of British Transport Police, said in an update on Sunday morning.
Five casualties have now been discharged from hospital and one remains in a life-threatening condition, the force said later in the afternoon, referring to the LNER staff member who tried to stop the attacker.
“Detectives have reviewed the CCTV from the train and it is clear his actions were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved many people’s lives,” BTP said.
LNER managing director David Horne said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by yesterday’s incident and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, particularly our colleague who remains in a life-threatening condition, and their family.
“I would like to thank the emergency services for their quick and professional response and the care they provided to those injured. I would also like to recognise the driver, crew and our operational response colleagues for their bravery and quick actions.
“This is a deeply upsetting incident. Over the coming days we will continue to cooperate with the authorities involved and will do everything we can to support our customers and colleagues during this very difficult time.”
Supt Loveless said armed police officers and paramedics boarded the train in Huntingdon and arrested the two initial suspects within eight minutes of 999 calls being made.
A 32-year-old man, described by police as a black British national, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in police custody.
He is from Peterborough and it is known that he boarded the train at Peterborough station, BTP added.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called the incident “deeply concerning”.
In a statement, the King said: “My wife and I were truly appalled and shocked to hear of the dreadful knife attack that took place on board a train in Cambridgeshire last night. Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with all those affected, and their loved ones.”
Although terrorism has been ruled out, police are still working on uncovering the motive for the attacks and have insisted that “at this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident”.
- ITV News spoke to a neighbour who offered support to the victims and who described the aftermath of the stabbing
Supt Loveless told reporters: “British Transport Police declared a major incident yesterday, and counter-terrorism policing were initially supporting our investigation. However, at this stage, there is nothing to suggest that this is a terrorist incident.”
He said police are working to establish the full circumstances and appealed for more people to come forward with information. He said at this stage, it would not be appropriate to speculate on the cause of the attack.
The Home Secretary, who said she was receiving regular updates from police, wrote on Sunday: “After last night’s horrific attack, my thoughts today are with the victims, their friends and family.”
Describing the incident as “appalling and devastating”, in a post on X, Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty said: “My thoughts are with all those victims who were injured during this heinous attack.
“I would like to pay tribute to the incredible and immediate response of the emergency services, particularly the Response Officers from Cambridgeshire Constabulary who were first to arrive on the scene.”
Travel disruption
Huntingdon station remains closed, with trains passing through.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER), which operates East Coast Mainline services in the UK, had urged passengers not to travel because of “major disruption”.
It said disruption to its services between London Kings Cross and Lincoln, Doncaster, Leeds, Bradford Forster Square and Harrogate was expected to last until Monday, with passengers advised to defer their travel where possible.
David Horne, managing director of LNER, said in a statement: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this serious incident, and our thoughts are very much with everyone involved.
“I would like to thank the emergency services for their quick and professional response and the care they have provided to those injured. Anyone with information who hasn’t already spoken to police is urged to contact British Transport Police.
“The safety and wellbeing of everyone affected will remain our priority. We will continue to do everything we can to support our customers and colleagues during this difficult time.”
National Rail said on Sunday morning, emergency services are continuing to deal with the major incident between Hitchin and Peterborough. Services between London King’s Cross may be cancelled or delayed, with disruption expected until the end of the day.
Government sources have confirmed there will be a “surge” in police presence across the rail network, until at least Tuesday, focusing on major terminals such as London, Birmingham, York, Leeds and Manchester, as well as at Huntingdon.
The police officers are likely to be most visible in London and at Huntingdon, but will be deployed across as much of the rail network as possible.
There will also be a visible police presence on trains on the East Coast Mainline, with sources saying officers usually focus on stations but it was “important to reassure passengers”.
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